Read Online Liars' Games (Project Chameleon Book 1) by Susan Finlay - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Susan Finlay
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“Please don’t open the door to anyone. I’m not expecting visitors. Call me if anything comes up. I expect to be home by half past eight.” Claire decided that Kate was a wise young woman, for not reminding her that they had gone over this more than once before.
When Claire arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was full. As she was deciding what to do, a car pulled out of a space, saving her more frustration. Entering the restaurant, she spotted Steve right away. He grinned at her, and taking his lead, they took off coats and sat down in the waiting area.
After the query formalities regarding how each was doing, Steve said, “I put our names on the waiting list. They said it shouldn’t take long to get a table. You look lovely, by the way.”
“Thank you.” She turned her head and glanced at the crowded dining room. Then, when she faced him again, she breathed a sigh of relief that he was looking at her face and smiling, instead of staring at her breasts or leering at her like so many men did.
A couple of minutes later, the hostess seated them in a cozy booth with a red and purple flower y tiffany lamp hanging overhead, gave them menus, and disappeared.
Claire gazed around the dining room and settled on two large photographs of a mountain. “I like those photos,” Claire said. “They’re lovely.”
“That’s Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs,” Steve said. “You can drive your car up to the top of the mountain. It’s more fun, though, to take the cog railway up.”
“A cog railway?”
“Yeah, the track goes practically straight up, so it’s a really steep ride to the top. A bit scary, to be honest. But a spectacular view. If you go on a clear day, you can even see Denver’s skyline.”
“Oh, that’s sounds like fun. I must try it sometime.”
They talked a bit about the sights around Denver, then during a lull in the conversation, Claire flipped through the menu. She decided on blackened fish, which Steve told her was a good choice. After they ordered their meals and an onion blossom to munch on, the waitress asked, “Can I get you some wine?”
Claire thought a glass of wine might help her relax . On second thought, this was supposed to be a business meeting, not a date. Wine probably isn’t a good idea.
She opened her mouth to say no, but before she had a chance, Steve ordered a glass of Chardonnay for each of them.
After the waitress left, he said, “I hope that was okay with you? I probably should have asked first.”
“That’s okay.” Claire bit her lip and looked away.
“How are you adjusting to Denver?”
“I’m getting used to it.”
“Where did you move from?”
“Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
“I’ve been there once. It was after a big rain storm. I remember mud everywhere.”
She laughed.
“So, how are things going at work?” Steve asked.
“Busy. Always busy.” She hesitated, then said, “I did want to ask you about something?”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
“I’m still concerned about security in the school. I talked to Frank about it. He said I should talk to you.” Steve nodded assent. “First, I really think we need to have controlled access,” she said, “such as locked doors after the start of the school day, security personnel assigned to monitor doors, and sign-in sheets for visitors. Also, is there any chance of getting cameras and metal detectors?”
Steve grimaced. “ Tall order. But I am working on it. You wouldn’t believe the red tape and hoops I have to jump through to get anything non-standard.”
“Non-standard? You mean other schools in the metro don’t have those things?”
“Not in our district. Even the Denver Public School District doesn’t have metal detectors or cameras though they do have security guards and police liaison officers. Districts in other states take a tougher stance. Chicago and Palm Beach, for instance, have guards and cameras and metal detectors in all their schools.” He
When Claire arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was full. As she was deciding what to do, a car pulled out of a space, saving her more frustration. Entering the restaurant, she spotted Steve right away. He grinned at her, and taking his lead, they took off coats and sat down in the waiting area.
After the query formalities regarding how each was doing, Steve said, “I put our names on the waiting list. They said it shouldn’t take long to get a table. You look lovely, by the way.”
“Thank you.” She turned her head and glanced at the crowded dining room. Then, when she faced him again, she breathed a sigh of relief that he was looking at her face and smiling, instead of staring at her breasts or leering at her like so many men did.
A couple of minutes later, the hostess seated them in a cozy booth with a red and purple flower y tiffany lamp hanging overhead, gave them menus, and disappeared.
Claire gazed around the dining room and settled on two large photographs of a mountain. “I like those photos,” Claire said. “They’re lovely.”
“That’s Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs,” Steve said. “You can drive your car up to the top of the mountain. It’s more fun, though, to take the cog railway up.”
“A cog railway?”
“Yeah, the track goes practically straight up, so it’s a really steep ride to the top. A bit scary, to be honest. But a spectacular view. If you go on a clear day, you can even see Denver’s skyline.”
“Oh, that’s sounds like fun. I must try it sometime.”
They talked a bit about the sights around Denver, then during a lull in the conversation, Claire flipped through the menu. She decided on blackened fish, which Steve told her was a good choice. After they ordered their meals and an onion blossom to munch on, the waitress asked, “Can I get you some wine?”
Claire thought a glass of wine might help her relax . On second thought, this was supposed to be a business meeting, not a date. Wine probably isn’t a good idea.
She opened her mouth to say no, but before she had a chance, Steve ordered a glass of Chardonnay for each of them.
After the waitress left, he said, “I hope that was okay with you? I probably should have asked first.”
“That’s okay.” Claire bit her lip and looked away.
“How are you adjusting to Denver?”
“I’m getting used to it.”
“Where did you move from?”
“Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
“I’ve been there once. It was after a big rain storm. I remember mud everywhere.”
She laughed.
“So, how are things going at work?” Steve asked.
“Busy. Always busy.” She hesitated, then said, “I did want to ask you about something?”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
“I’m still concerned about security in the school. I talked to Frank about it. He said I should talk to you.” Steve nodded assent. “First, I really think we need to have controlled access,” she said, “such as locked doors after the start of the school day, security personnel assigned to monitor doors, and sign-in sheets for visitors. Also, is there any chance of getting cameras and metal detectors?”
Steve grimaced. “ Tall order. But I am working on it. You wouldn’t believe the red tape and hoops I have to jump through to get anything non-standard.”
“Non-standard? You mean other schools in the metro don’t have those things?”
“Not in our district. Even the Denver Public School District doesn’t have metal detectors or cameras though they do have security guards and police liaison officers. Districts in other states take a tougher stance. Chicago and Palm Beach, for instance, have guards and cameras and metal detectors in all their schools.” He
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